The Oval, Grenfell Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2BY

Our toughest opposition was at the start of the season, with Aylesbury having just come down  from the Premier division. As is often the case, availability and injury played a part in team selection and pairings, but team spirit was good and gradually our results got better. This was the first time that Alison Clifford-King, Anna Taylor and Jackie Martin had played in the 1st team, and they can all be proud of the part they played in our success. Take heart – often it's the odd set won by the second or third pair that can make the difference between winning and loosing! It‘s no coincidence that we do well when Emily Martin is in the team – she is playing particularly well and is a great asset to the club. Her partnership with Fiona Phillips gave us a chance of winning our last three matches. First team “regulars” - Susan Glenn, Ann Love, and Deirdre Cope – all bring experience and determination to the team. I would like to congratulate all the players on our success this season - we can build on this next year!

We always knew that this summer’s season of matches would be challenging, as we had found ourselves in the first division for the first time. Unfortunately, an added dimension was that some of our key players sustained injuries right at the beginning of the season, and remained injured throughout. However, we managed to retain a high morale on the whole, despite being out-played most of the time, and we did put up some goods fights and took some sets. We managed a draw in one match, but lost the remainder. Thanks to core members of the 2nd team – Teresa Pender, Wendy Mason, Mandy Bartholomew, Ros Hole, Sarah Wilding, Susan Sheahan and Maggie Todhunter – and to players from the other teams who stepped in when needed. I’m grateful to all who played – for their efforts and goodwill. Hopefully, next season we will get the opportunity to play to our full potential!

Competing in this division, our ladies in the third team have been magnificent. Despite being pitched against other clubs’ champions and first team players, who played down early in the season, we managed to win at least one game for every three played. If there had been a competition for being the best and most cheerful hosts, Beaconsfield would have won hands down! I’d like to thank all ladies for their generosity and efforts, and for the 318 games we did win: Lucy Arnold, Laura Bennett, Rosemary Bennett, Anna Carter-Roberts, Louise Fewster, Jan Godden, Tanya Hales, Alison Hurst, Marj Kai, Adelle Powell, Sue Sheahan, Maggie Todhunter, Jill Walters, and Sarah Wilding. Well done, everyone!

The new 2-pair format is a great opportunity for those of us who can no longer stay upright for six sets to still play competitive league matches. We generally had two or three regular players – Joy Johnson and Ros Hole - supplemented by one or two from other teams. Matches were mostly very enjoyable, except the first one played at Widmer End's wind-tunnel!

Overall, we did better than last year, which is great. Thanks to everyone who played - Jan Godden, Maria Brothers, Pat Edwards, Sheila McKenna, Marj Kai, Anita Briden, Sue Ebbutt and Sarah Wilding.